The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan on March 15, 2018, and as part of the implementation of this Plan, FEMA was seeking the input and diverse perspectives of state, local, tribal, and territorial government, and non-governmental organization partners. FEMA sent a formal invitational letter to Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Director Nelson Andrews Jr to participate in the Partner Strategy Sessions in order to gather additional input toward the strategic plan, to help FEMA shape how to implement the new ambitious goals and objectives together.

Nelson Andrews Jr who also serves as the Co-Chairman of the United South and Eastern Tribes Homeland Security and Emergency Services Committee was one of 4 Tribal participants chosen from across Indian country to provide input and support during the partner strategy sessions. The partner strategy session meetings were held in Washington, DC in mid-May 2018. Mr. Andrews was able to meet with the FEMA administrator for a discussion and provide insight into some of the issues that affect the emergency preparedness of Federally Recognized Tribes in addition to the lack of funding parity involved between State and Tribal emergency management funding streams.

One of the overall outcomes of the meeting was to ensure that in order to reach FEMA’s goal of achieving the vision of a prepared and resilient nation, is that it has to be a shared responsibility and the input and support from all of the partners involved will help to ensure that successful disaster response and recovery is federally coordinated, tribal or state managed, and locally executed. Director, Andrews stated; “This meeting was a great example of Federal, State and Tribal collaboration and is a positive step toward the direction of progress for Tribal partners, to help ensure that the overall disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts within Indian country are continuously addressed and remain within the forefront of the Federal Government’s scope.”

For additional information on the Mashpee Wampanoag Emergency Management Department or information on how you can be more involved with the preparedness of our Tribal community, please contact;